Phasmophobia’s Player Character update is now live across all platforms, marking yet another step towards the co-op horror game’s highly anticipated full release. Its most notable feature gives player characters actual bodies, enabling teammates to see what their fellow party members are holding while allowing characters to “move through environments in ways that feel more physical.”
Phasmophobia’s Player Character update also brings a set of new movement, death, revival, and EMF animations, which further aim to increase the level of immersion attached to its ghost hunts.
Phasmophobia Player Character Update Now Live
Furthermore, unique animations for different pieces of equipment and objects enhance the way in which player characters interact with the world. The journal, previously a separate UI item, now also features in-game.
Phasmophobia’s Player Character update also adds a watch that helps with keeping track of both sanity levels and the time spent working specific contracts.
In addition, twelve new character models join the roster of ghost hunters, each one having access to a series of customization options that include clothing, hair colour, and more.
These cosmetic items can be unlocked through gameplay challenges or purchased via the in-game store, which exclusively uses in-game currency.
As a final treat, Phasmophobia’s Player Character update also adds backstories for its different ghost hunters that reveal “a bit more about who the GHD company are, how they ended up working as ghost hunters, and why.”
The update is part of a broader roadmap detailing developer Kinetic Games’ plans ahead of Phasmophobia’s full release.
In addition to steadily working on its popular co-op horror game, Kinetic Games previously announced a publishing label dedicated to supporting indie developers while confirming that a movie based on the game is also planned.
Phasmophobia Player Character Update 0.17.0.0 Patch Notes
New:
Characters:
- 12 new, higher-quality character models (6 male, 6 female)
- Character bios
- Adjustable hair colour
Cosmetics:
- Wide range of cosmetic items (coats, shirts, trousers with multiple colour options)
- Prestige and event-specific shirts
- Accessories including piercings, hats, and glasses
- All cosmetics are unlockable in-game or purchased with in-game currency
Animations:
- New animations for equipment interactions, objects, and environment
- New death animation
- PC VR players can toggle first-person death animations (“immersive animations”)
- Third-person death animation is shown by default
Player Watch:
- Tracks sanity levels and time elapsed during contracts
- View by holding “Use” with empty left hand or opening Journal
- Does not display sanity if monitor is disabled
- Does not count as electronic equipment
- Always visible for VR players
Cursed Hollow Cosmetics:
- Mask, T-shirt, and Necklace now available for all players
- Equip via customization shop
Changes:
General
- ID Cards and badges now managed in customization shop
- Death Room removed (seamless transition to dead state)
- Journal now appears in-game instead of separate UI
- Prestige limit increased to 4000
- No unlocks available after Prestige 20
Gameplay & Mechanics:
- Doors now have physics and continue moving after release
- Flashlights held in left hand and droppable if right hand is empty
- Equipment (e.g., tripod) can be placed while standing
- All items now visible on character model
- Tier 2 Sound Recorders added to Audio Only weekly challenge
- Minimum FOV increased to 70
VR Changes:
- Inventory belt removed; items placed on character model
- Teleport circle renders above objects and appears only when teleport is activated at full stamina
Fixes:
General Fixes
- Head gear visibility fixed across all FOV values
- Monkey’s Paw trap now affects sliding doors in Prison
- Raiju hunt threshold issue fixed
- Yokai hearing range corrected
- Jinn sanity drain across floors fixed
VR Fixes:
- Journal visibility after death fixed
- Hand shaking issue fixed
- Spirit Box pickup improved
- Salt rotation corrected
- Object interaction issues fixed
- Journal scrolling fixed
- Stair sliding fixed
- Item grabbing through walls fixed
- Firelight positioning issues fixed
- Multiplayer Firelight floating bug fixed
- Teleport skipping tutorial fixed
- UI interaction improved
- Door collision issues fixed
- Head gear falling off fixed
- Player model alignment fixed
- Various additional fixes and improvements
Known Issues:
- Journal cannot be used while dying
- Character models may ragdoll incorrectly upon death
- “Use” animations may continue after dropping equipment
- Tarot Cards display incorrectly to other players
- Frame-rate drops in customization menu
- Players invisible on CCTV through Tier 1 Head Gear
- Flashlights remain in hand when using Tier 1 Photo Camera
- Video Camera may drift when switched mid-use
- Character eyes remain open after death
- Animated foil cards display incorrectly
- “Doors starting open” only works on Tanglewood
- Footstep audio does not match player movement speed
- Doors can be held shut with items
- VR and non-VR players cannot hear each other’s footsteps
- Minor visual inconsistencies
Upcoming Fixes (May 12, 2026):
- Item placement bug during pickup animation
- Hair customization cancel bug
- Yurei door ability not fully closing doors
- Badge icon visual bug
- Flashlight held at feet bug
- Meg Marr hair missing when wearing a hat
- Ouija Board and Haunted Mirror drop incorrectly
- Door interaction issues with Tarot Cards
- VR crouching causes feet to sink into ground
- VR closet door interaction issue in 10 Ridgeview Court
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